The name WH Smith is set to disappear from the High Street after the iconic retailer agreed a deal agreed to sell its shops to Hobbycraft-owner Modella Capital.
The new owner has announced it will rebrand the High Street outlets as TGJones, marking an end for WH Smith which set up its first shop in London in 1792.
The sale does not include the WH Smith brand, its travel shops at airports and railway stations or its outlets in hospitals.
Modella Capital will take over 480 stores in retail parks, shopping centres and on High Streets including 5,000 staff.
The private equity firm specialises in retail and consumer businesses and, as well as buying Hobbycraft, has also invested in Crafters’ Companion and The Original Factory Shop.
It said the TGJones brand carried “the same sense of family” as WH Smiths, which it described as an “iconic” retail business.
WH Smith’s sells papers and magazines, alongside books, sweets and snacks and art supplies.
The travel division operates more than 1,200 stores in 32 countries.
Desgusting! Shoulnt be aloud to change there name. They will miss out on tourism from Arnold people becuase of this
Oh, stop! They’ve been in trouble for ages so a new owner might do them some good and boost the amount of ‘tourists’ that visit your town
Can’t remember last time I went in!
It will take more than WH Smith’s to attract any tourists to Arnold